Re-Thinking Economic Development in the WTO

The disagreements between the old and new trade powers in the WTO on market access issues that have deadlocked the Doha Round are in part a reflection of the “special and differential treatment” that developing countries have historically pursued in the WTO. A re-thinking of that approach is in order. This paper argues for greater effort and new approaches to use the WTO as a mechanism to help developing countries to reduce the trade and transactions costs that prevent firms and farmers from benefitting from trade opportunities. What is needed are processes for regular dialogue, peer review and independent assessment of the impacts of domestic policies, with active participation by firms that operate in the country concerned, and a focus on identification of good practices and priorities for reform and public investment.